Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The No. 2 Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion basketball team will continue their tough out-of-conference schedule tonight as they host No. 12 Cumberland (Tenn.) University in a 5:30 PM match up at the Brewer Sports Center.

SETTING THE STAGE

FHU (2-1) is coming into tonight's contest off a tough 53-54 loss to No. 20 Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College on Saturday. The Lady Lions trailed a majority of the game as they shot just 26 percent from the field and turned the ball over 18 times.

Taleeah Cross led the Lady Lions in scoring with 18 points while pulling down eight rebounds in the contest. Janasia Williams led Martin Methodist with 16 points followed by Brionna Taylor who had 15. Entering Saturday's match up, the Lady Lions had previously won 77 straight home games, not counting two games forfeited in 2011. The last loss for the Lady Lions at home was November 23, 2010 at the hands of Columbia (Mo.) College.

Cumberland (Tenn.) University (4-0) enters tonight's match up coming off a convincing 84-54 victory over Fisk (Tenn.) University on Saturday. Nicole Bowers had the best all-around game for the Bulldogs as she recorded a double-double in the contest with 16 points and 20 rebounds. Senior Chelsey Hall also contributed on the offensive end with 19 points.

The Bulldogs have opened their season with four straight wins, including a 70-59 win against No. 20 Martin Methodist College in their season opener.

LAST TIME THEY MET

FHU visited Cumberland last season on November 17 and came away with a 68-58 win on the road. The Lady Lions shot just 39 percent in the first half and trailed the Bulldogs 30-28 at the half. However, FHU would pull together in the final 20 minutes of the contest as they shot an impressive 62.5 percent to take the outright lead from the Bulldogs and not give it back.

Hayley Newby scored 21 of her game-high 31 points after halftime, as FHU slowly pulled away from a Bulldog team looking for a big upset. CU stayed close for the first part of the second half before a 14-4 run gave the Lady Lions some breathing room after a layup by Grace Alonso de Armino put Freed-Hardeman ahead, 59-48, with 8:21 left.

FHU will look to have a similar result tonight as they host the Bulldogs in a 5:30 PM match up at the Brewer Sports Center.

COVERAGE

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